Tub cover



1934- J. E. DILLARD TUB COVER Filed June 1. 1931 [NI EN TOR.

Jan/res 5. L7 //0/-d BY ,4 M

Ah ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce 5 Claims.

The invention relates to a device by which an ordinary bath tub may be converted into a closed chamber suitable for the taking of a steam bath.

In View of the generally recognized fact that perspiration provides a natural medium for eliminating poisons from the human body, the use of steam baths has found widespread favor as a means for the treatment of obesity, various illnesses, sln'n disorders, and as a general health tonic. While steam baths are highly recommended by members of the medical profession, physical educators, trainers and others, their regular use by the masses has been hindered due to the inconvenience and expense to which one must go in order to avail himself of such a bath. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive means that may be quickly, easily and detachably placed on an ordinary bath tub to temporarily convert the latter into a convenient and efficient steam bath chamber.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel means for fastening a flexible cover to the top of a bathtub to effectively prevent the escapement of steam therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a means whereby steam may be introduced into the tub While the latter is being occupied without allowing any steam condensate to come in contact with the occupant.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cover that may be adjusted to fit various sizes and shapes of bath tubs without requiring the mutilation of or special fittings for the tub.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the unit of my invention, operatively disposed on a bath tub with a bather therein, the section being taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my invention.

Figure 3 is an end section view of my invention taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame skeleton of my invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cover of my invention shown in folded position.

As illustrated in the drawing, the parts to be combined to form the complete steam bath unit comprise a bath tub 11, a cover 12 there" for, and a steam generating means 13. The cover 12 which forms the subject of my invention is designed to rest-on the rim 'of the tub and to completely close the top or open side of the tub. The cover is formed with a foldable frame 14, shown in Figure l, consisting in'the present embodiment of five sections, 16, l7, l8, l9 and 21 respectively, which are defined by wires 22 running longitudinally of the tub and wires 23 running at substantially right angles thereto. Covering the outside edges of the frame and aportion 20 thereof, extending inward therefrom, is a padding member 24 which is'so arranged as to reston the top or rim of the tub sidewalls 26 to insure a steam tight fit between the edge of the frame and the tub. A sheet 27 of flexible material envelops the padding and frame to substantially complete the cover structure.

It will be noted that the cover when operatively disposed over the tub extends straight across the tub horizontally, and since a person seated in the tub would have his chest above the plane of the cover, means areprovided such as by a canopy 28, to permit more of the bathers body to be included under the cover in direct exposure to the steam in the tub, while the occupant is so seated therein. The canopy is located in that portion of the cover through which the body of a bather would normally protrude while sitting comfortably upright in a tub with the cover thereover and is preferably, designed in such manner that the upper portion may surround the neck of the occupant with his head protruding above the same. As here shown the canopy is arranged over section 17 and is con'- structed of two U frames 29 pivoted at their open ends to the pair of oppositely disposed side longitudinal wires of said section as at 31. Sufficient friction to maintain the frame in desired position is afforded atthe pivot connections. The sheet 27 while being drawn close to the plane of the frame in the other sections is cut and sewn to form an inverted box over section 17 and thereby providing end walls 32 and 33 which are fastened to the U frames 29, front and rear walls 34 and 36, and a top wall 37. Provided in the end walls 32 and 33 are flies 35 through which the arms of the bather may be extended. At the center of the top wall 37 a circular double flapped opening 38 is provided to permit the canopy to be slipped over the bathers head and fit snugly about his neck. There is preferably sufficient slack in the material in this top wall to allow the portion about opening 38 to be disposed at various elevations above the floor of the tub.

In order to allow the bather to recline against the back of the tub while taking a steam bath, the portioniof the sheet 27 coveringthe head end of the tub, over section 16 of the frame, has provided therein a flap covered opening through which the head of the occupant may be extended to lie outside of the cover. For the bathers comfort while occupying this position, a loop 41 is attached to the cover to hold a towel such as 42 to provide a cushion for the occupants neck and shoulders.

Means are provided for retainingthe cover firmly positioned on the tub without requiring the slightest mutilation of or special-fittings on the tub. As here shown the means is provided in a very simple manner and comprises spring clamps 43 positioned on the lateral frame rods defined between sections 16 and 17, and 18 and 19. Theclarnps are preferably covered with rubberand are slidably carried on the rods so that notwithstanding the varying widths of different tubs, the clamps may be readily moved to operatively engage the inner sides of the tub to eifectively hold the cover in position. The clamps as shown in Figure 3, are formed with bearings 44 which in one position of the clamp allow the latter to be moved along the rod, whereas in an- 1 other position such as when the clamps are pressedagainst the tub clamps will be locked against inward movement. If desired, a string 45-maybev provided to tie the cover to the bath tub faucets.

To accommodate tubs of varying lengths with my cover, I fastened the end section 21 to the adjacent section 19 by means of chains 46. This connection provides for an extension of the frame to any portion of the width of section 21.

Steam may be supplied by a suitable generator 47 from where itisled through a hose 48 into the tub. To shield the bather from contact with thehose or steam directly issuing therefrom, a sleeve 49 is provided on the section 21, within which the end portion of the hose is arranged to be confined. As here shown a sleeve is provided on eachof the opposite sides of the section to more. conveniently adapt the cover for use .on tubs that are variously situated in bathrooms. While only'one. hose'is here usedit should be clear that a plurality of hoses positioned at different p ints on the cover may in some instances beeffective.

After the bather has completed his bath and thehose is removed; the cover may be disengaged from the tub. by untying the string 45 and raising, the cover so that the clamps 43 are released. Thecanopy is: then clipped from off the bather. wherebythecover may be readily folded in the compact form as illustrated in Figure 5.

In view of the foregoing it will be clear that the steam cover of my'invention is well adapted to the accomplishment of the objects hereinbefore referred to steam tight l. Ina device of the character described, a steam cover for an open bath tube, comprising a member for closing said opening and having ports therein for the reception of a portion of a bathers body, means for detachably securing said member to the tub to provide a substantially chamber, and transversely adjustable feet on said member arranged to engage the inner sides of the tub to retain the member in operable position.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame comprising wire sections hingedly connected together and arranged to be moved from a folded position to an extended position with said sections lying substantially in coplanar, relation to each other, and a flexible covering for said frame having ports therein for the reception of a portion of a bathers body. j

3. In a device for converting an open bath tub into a steam bath chamber, a foldable frame in-' cluding a plurality of hingedly connected sectionsarranged to be moved from a folded position to an. extended position with said sections disposed in' substantially a coplanar relation to each other, a covering of flexible material secured to said sections and arranged to be positionedover the tub to provide therewith a substantially steam tight chamber, a

canopy frame hingedly connected; with one of said sections, a covering for saidcanopy frame having an opening therein for the reception of a portion of the bathers body, and

means on said sections arranged to engage the, tub to retain the sections and associated covering therefor in operative position over the tub.

4. In a device of the character described, a

frame comprising wire sections connected togather and arranged to be convertible from a folded position to an extended position with said sections disposed in substantially coplanar'relation, one of said sections being arranged in the extended position of the frame to be extendable from another of said sections, and a flexible cov-- ering for said frame having ports therein for the" reception of a portion of a bathers body.

5. In a-device of the character described, a steam cover for an open bath tub, comprising a member arranged-to rest on the top of the tub side walls and having-ports therein for thereception of a portion of the bathers body, and-- padding on the lower side of said member positioned to lie intermediate said walls and member and arranged solely under the weight of said member to conform at least slightly to the top.

of said walls to thereby form a seal between said member and walls.

JAMES E: DILLARD. 

